Zhang Liao

Zhang Liao (169-223) was a general of Wei. Formerly an officer of Lu Bu, he surrendered at Xia Pi, and his life was spared by Liu Bei, and Cao Cao took him in as an officer. Zhang Liao served as one of the Five Generals of Wei until his death in 223 AD.

Biography
Zhang Liao was originally a servant of Dong Zhuo, fighting at Hu Lao Gate. He also fought for Lu Bu at the Battle of Puyang and Xiapi. However, when he was captured by Cao Cao, he was spared after Liu Bei prayed that Cao Cao stay his sword, and became a general of his. He fought in the Battle of Guan Du in 200 AD, where he assisted Guan Yu in slaying Yan Liang. He developed a friendship with him, and let him escape from Cao Cao without a fight later that year. He further fought in the wars against the remnants of Yuan Shao's army and the northern barbarians, and took part in the Battle of Chi Bi in 208.

Zhang Liao distinguished himself with a victory at He Fei in 209 AD. That year, Sun Quan sent General Taishi Ci to launch a surprise attack on He Fei, but Zhang Liao anticipated such a move and Taishi Ci was mortally wunded by an arrow shot by Zhang Liao. In 215 AD, he again defended Hefei, and, with 800 men, defeated an army of 100,000 Wu troops using ambush tactics.

However, his story came to an end in 223 AD. A year earlier, he was placed in command of the Wei Armada during their invasion of Wu. The Armada attacked the Wu stronghld at Dongkou, held by He Qi. Zhang Liao and Cao Xiu performed well, but this ended when Zhang Liao was wounded by an arrow to the groin in the battle aboard the ships, and then disemboweled by Sun Quan's sword.